Concord's Music and Market, special events offer free family fun

On May 21, the much anticipated launch of this summer’s Thursday Night Music and Market series takes place in Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord. The series continues through Sept. 17 with the Farmers’ Market in the plaza from 4 to 8 p.m. and music on the Todos Santos stage from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The 27th annual Music and Market Series is one of the longest running, most popular free civic concert series in the Bay Area. The series is funded through donations collected from attendees during last year’s concert series and by local sponsors. The 2015 sponsor list is led by Concord Disposal, Pacific Service Credit Union, Tesoro, Dolan’s Lumber, Chevron, Ashby Lumber, Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market, Concord Police Association, Brenden Theatre and the tourism consortium Visit Concord with its “Diablo Valley, Defying Expectations, Concord California” campaign.

Music and Market Highlights

This year's schedule offers an eclectic mix of music from a wide variety of genres, starting May 21 when Zydeco Flames opens the season with its authentic re-creation of the sounds and feel of Louisiana's Mardi Gras.

Among first-timers to the series this year is the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, performing June 4. With 55 singers and a full band, this ‘Celebration of Gospel Music’ is sure to bring everyone to their feet.

Bay Area treasure and sixties legend It's a Beautiful Day will perform its international hit "White Bird" and other late ‘60s classics on June 11.

On July 2, Fahrenheit 5150 brings funk, R&B and soul in a high energy, choreographed show sure to please their first Todos Santos Plaza audience.

Newcomers Patrón will offer its "Shot of Latin Music" on Aug. 8, featuring a ten-piece band with some of the best Latin musicians in the Bay Area performing salsa to Santana.

Popular Motown band Best Intentions will bring the series to a close on Sept. 17. Many of the concerts are broadcast live (as well as rebroadcast) over Concord Cable TV on Comcast channel 28, Astound channel 29 and U-Verse channel 99. See the schedule at /about/citynews/tvlistings.pdf.

Tuesday Night Blues Series

The Tuesday Night Blues Brews and Barbeque series, previously held in July, has been extended into August this year with shows every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. beginning July 7 and running through Aug. 11. This years' series opens with venerable Bay Area Blues masters The Delta Wires and closes with Concord's own Blues diva, Annie Sampson. The series this year is sponsored by Todos Santos Plaza’s craft beer taproom Hop Grenade.

Todos Santos Plaza Special Events

In addition to a year-round Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the summer music series’, downtown Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza features a number of special events this summer.

On July 7, Todos Santos Plaza will be encircled by a display of vintage autos during Cool Concord Cars, presented during the Tuesday Blues event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. with music by Delta Wires.

On July 23, Long Train Runnin’ will perform at the annual Mayor’s Cook-off during the Thursday Music and Market program, when mayors and chefs from all over the county vie for first prize in the Healthy Eating Cook-off.

Free Parking

Todos Santos Plaza is located in downtown Concord on Willow Pass Road between Mt. Diablo and Grant streets. Free parking is available in two municipal garages and on the street. For a complete listing of musical guests and event information, visit www.concordfirst.org